Question on Japanese swamp vehicles

[Hama]

Does anyone know what locations the Japanese employed their FB and SA swamp vehicles during WW2? Are there any accounts of their use in Southeast Asia, South Pacific, etc? I'm curious to know what areas of the war those things saw use, and any info on how successful/reliable they were.

[Akira Takizawa]

It is unknown where they were deployed. As far as I know, they were not used in the Pacific War. Probably, they were deployed in Manchuria, because they were developed for the war against Russia.

Note that SA was developed by Japanese Self-defense forces after WWII.

Taki

[Hama]

I didn't realise the SA was a post-war vehicle, thanks for telling me. Do you know how long the SA was in service? Also did the FB and SA usually operate unarmed, or were they ever mounted with some kind of weaponry (e.g. a machinegun, etc.)

[Akira Takizawa]

The development of SA started in 1955 and one prototype was built. But, SA was cancelled, because its performance was not enough. So, SA was not in service.
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B3%A5 ... D%E8%BB%8A

SA was armed with 12.7mm HMG. FB had no armament.

IJA developed another swamp vehicle. It was swamp scout vehicle TB. It could mount LMG.



Taki

[Hama]

I see, thanks. Do you know any technical info on the TB scout vehicle? I checked your website about the IJA but didn't find anything, and English wikipedia also turned up blank.

[Akira Takizawa]

Swamp Scout Vehicle TB

Weight : 1.8 ton
Dimensions: 4.175 x 2.160 x 1.925(h) m
Engine : Gasoline Engine 25HP
Speed (max) : 12 km/hr (ground), 10 km/hr (swamp), 5 km/hr (water)
Crew : 2 or 3

Taki

[Hama]

Great info as usual, thanks.